ALBANY, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AMRI (NASDAQ: AMRI) announced today that it has entered into a new strategic agreement with Knopp Biosciences LLC, a drug discovery and development company focused on breakthrough treatments for unmet needs in neurological disorders.

Under the two-year term of the FTE agreement, AMRI will provide various discovery-related services that include medicinal chemistry, DMPK and computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). As part of the scope of work, AMRI scientists will collaborate with Knopp scientists and project leaders on selected novel drug discovery programs. The collaboration is extendable after two years by mutual agreement.

"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Knopp Biosciences, a company that values innovation through collaboration," said AMRI's Chairman, President and CEO, Thomas E. D'Ambra, Ph.D. "This agreement will combine AMRI's broad range of drug discovery capabilities, with more than 20 years of CNS experience, to assist Knopp in its goal of delivering safe and effective treatments for unmet medical need."

This agreement builds on and strengthens the strategic business relationship that already exists between Knopp Biosciences and AMRI. Since 2006, AMRI has worked with Knopp to provide early process development work, route development, and small-scale and large-scale cGMP manufacturing, as well as analytical method development and validation support.

About AMRIAlbany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI) is a global contract research and manufacturing organization offering customers fully integrated drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services. For over 21 years, AMRI has demonstrated its adaptability as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have undergone tremendous change in response to multiple challenges. This experience, a track record of success, and locations in the United States, Europe and Asia now provides our customers with SMARTSOURCING, a full range of value-added opportunities providing customers informed decision-making, enhanced efficiency and more successful outcomes at all stages of the pipeline. AMRI has also successfully partnered R&D programs and is actively seeking to out-license its remaining programs for further development. For press releases and additional information about the company, please visit www.amriglobal.com.

About Knopp Biosciences LLCKnopp Biosciences LLC, based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA, is a drug discovery and development company focused on delivering breakthrough treatments for unmet needs in neurology through innovation, experience, and partnership. The company's lead product candidate is dexpramipexole, an orally bioavailable small molecule in Phase 3 development for the treatment of ALS. Biogen Idec holds an exclusive worldwide license from Knopp to develop and commercialize dexpramipexole, with Knopp providing development support and conducting certain U.S. commercialization activities. Knopp's discovery platform is directed to identifying next generation mitochondrial bioenergetic modulators for the treatment of ALS, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as ion channel modulators for the treatment of epilepsy. For additional information about the company, please visit www.knoppneurosciences.com.